James won his 10th cap in England's last match - -a 1-1 draw with Portugal at Villa Park - but has never represented his country in a competitive international.
Next week Eriksson names his squad for the qualifying games against Slovakia and Macedonia, and David James and Arsenal's David Seaman are both sure to be in the party. But who will he choose to start against Slovakia in Bratislava?
The long serving Seaman, now 39, has missed only two competitive internationals in the last three years, but was blamed by many for England's World Cup exit against Brazil in Japan in the summer.
James, who moved to Upton Park from Aston Villa for £3.5 million in July 2001, has had plenty of opportunities to impress in West Ham's woeful start to the season.
Still seeking their first win and locked at the bottom of the Premiership, even sections of the Upton Park faithful turned on their heroes last week. "If it's an advantage to have the crowd behind us, it's obviously a disadvantage when they turn against us," said Roeder.
"It also makes my job more difficult when I come to talk to players about new contracts. A youngster like Michael Carrick, for instance, will remember if the crowd get on his back."
However, Roeder was encouraged by the spirit of his team in the stalemate with City, and will select from the same squad. He has to decide whether to recall Carrick, who has been on the substitutes' bench for the last two games.
"None of us is happy with the position we're in, but if we work hard and stick together we can turn it round," he said.
"We started badly last season but finished in seventh place.
"We desperately need our first win, but I've no doubt that Chelsea will be a real test tomorrow.
"I've been very impressed with the progress they've made under Claudio Ranieri."
